Head covering and mask

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments of a head covering having a partial or whole face covering component can be provided. For example, an apparatus to cover a head can be provided, including a head cover configured to cover a user&#39;s head, the head cover including an upper portion configured to be provided over a user&#39;s head and a lower portion extending from the upper portion, a mask provided at the lower portion of the head cover, a first ear portion provided on a first side of the lower portion of the mask, and a second ear portion provided on a second side of the lower portion of the mask opposite the first side, wherein the first ear portion includes at least one opening configured to be secured around a user&#39;s ear such that the mask covers a user&#39;s face.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 63/132,682 filed Dec. 31, 2020, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to exemplary embodiments of a headcovering, and more particularly, to exemplary embodiments of a headcovering having a partial or whole face cover component, called a maskherein.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Head coverings are worn for various reasons such as protecting the hairafter hair treatments, maintaining a hair style, or as a fashionstatement. Users also wear various masks to protect themselves fromair-borne pollution, contaminants, viruses and other reasons. Theexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can provide for a headcover that comprises a mask to cover a user's face.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can provide for anapparatus to cover a head, comprising a head cover configured to cover auser's head, the head cover including an upper portion configured to beprovided over a user's head and a lower portion extending from the upperportion, a mask provided at the lower portion of the head cover, a firstear portion provided on a first side of the lower portion of the mask,and a second ear portion provided on a second side of the lower portionof the mask opposite the first side, wherein the first ear portionincludes at least one opening configured to be secured around a user'sear such that the mask covers a user's face.

In some exemplary embodiments, a plurality of openings can be providedon the first ear portion of the mask. The plurality of openings cancomprise three elongated openings configured to be secured around auser's ear. The plurality of openings can be provided on the first earportion and the second ear portion of the mask. The plurality ofopenings on the first ear portion and the second ear portion cancomprise three elongated openings configured to be secured around auser's ear.

In some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus can further comprise abinding material provided around a periphery of the opening. Theapparatus can further comprise a seam tape provided around a peripheryof the opening. In some exemplary embodiments, the head cover and maskcan be a unitary piece made of the same material. The mask can extend ata length from a rear of the upper portion such that the lower portioncan be applied around a user's face.

In some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus can further comprise afirst elongated portion provided on a first side of the upper portion,and a second elongated portion on a second side opposite the first sideof the upper portion. The first elongated portion and second elongatedportion can be configured to be tied to each other around a user's headto secure the head cover to the user's head. The first elongated portionand second elongated portion can have a rectangular shape and can beapproximately 1 foot to approximately 3 feet in length each.

In some exemplary embodiments, a method of wearing a head cover can beprovided, comprising applying a head cover to a user's head, the headcover including an upper portion to cover a user's head and a lowerportion extending from the upper portion, applying the lower portion ofthe head cover around the user's face, the lower portion including anopening, and securing the opening around the user's ear so that thelower portion is held in place and secured such that the lower portioncovers a portion of the user's face.

In some exemplary embodiments, the lower portion can include a pluralityof openings. The plurality of openings can comprise three elongatedopenings. In some exemplary embodiments, a binding material is providedaround a periphery of the opening. In some exemplary embodiments, a seamtape is provided around a periphery of the opening. In some exemplaryembodiments, the upper portion and lower portion can be a unitary piecemade of the same material.

In some exemplary embodiments, the method can further comprise tying afirst elongated portion provided on a first side of the upper portionand a second elongated portion on a second side opposite the first sideof the upper portion to each other at a behind the user's forehead tosecure the head cover to the user's head. The first elongated portionand second elongated portion can each have a rectangular shape and canbe approximately 1 foot to approximately 3 feet in length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects of the present disclosure will beapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and claims, in which likereference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a head covering and mask according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a head covering and mask according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a user wearing the head covering and maskaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a user wearing the head covering and applyingthe mask over their face according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a user wearing the head covering and mask overtheir face according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of a user wearing the head covering and mask overtheir face according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters,unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements,components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, whilethe subject disclosure will now be described in detail with reference tothe figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrativeembodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be madeto the described embodiments without departing from the true scope andspirit of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF DISCLOSURE

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can provide for ahead cover that has a mask component. The mask component can be part ofthe head cover and not used as a mask and can optionally be appliedacross a user's face to cover a user's mouth and nose or more. Exemplaryembodiments of the various methods and apparatuses will now be describedwith reference to the figures. The following description of the variousembodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended tolimit the scope of the disclosure, its application, or uses.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a front view and side view, respectively, of anexemplary embodiment of a head covering and mask 100 according to thepresent disclosure. The head covering and mask 100 includes a head cover110 at an upper portion 115 of the head covering and mask 100 forcovering a user's head, and a mask 120 at a lower portion 125 of thehead covering and mask 100 for covering, e.g., a user's mouth and nose.The upper portion 115 can have a hood shape (e.g., covering the head andneck of a user). The upper portion 115 can have a front portion thatcover's a user's forehead as well. The lower portion 125 can extend at alength from the upper portion 115 such that the lower portion 125 can beapplied around a user's face. For example, the lower portion 125 canextend at a length ranging from approximately eight to approximatelythirty inches below a user's neck when the head cover 110 is initiallyworn (before applying the mask 120). In some exemplary embodiments, theupper portion 115 and lower portion 125 are a unitary piece and can bemade of the same material.

A first ear portion 130 can be provided on a first side of the lowerportion 125, and a second ear portion 140 can be provided on a secondside of the lower portion 125. The lower portion 125 can be split or cutsuch that the first ear portion 130 and second ear portion 140 areseparate, or the ear portions can be a unitary piece with the lowerportion 125. The first ear portion 130 and second ear portion 140 caninclude one or more openings 150, such as a slit, that can be placedaround a user's ear so the mask 120 can be provided over a user's mouthand nose, as will be explained further below. In some exemplaryembodiments, only one ear portion or both ear portions can include oneor more openings 150. These openings 150 can be elongated and sized tofit and be placed around a user's ear. In some exemplary embodiments,three openings 150 are provided on each of the first ear portion 130 andsecond ear portion 140.

The upper portion 115 can include a first elongated portion 160 on afirst side of the upper portion 115, and a second elongated portion 170on a second side opposite the first side of the upper portion 115. Thefirst elongated portion 160 and second elongated portion 170 can have arectangular or other shape and can have a length ranging fromapproximately 1 to 3 feet each, or longer or shorter, for securing thehead cover 110 to a user's head by tying the first elongated portion 160and second elongated portion 170, as will be further explained below.

In some exemplary embodiments, one or both ear portions 130, 140 can beadapted for openings 150 by sewing threads or other binding materialaround a periphery of the openings. The material can also be cut using afinishing technique such as pinking shears or blades, sewn using aserger stitch, hemmed, heated or some other technique may be applied tothe periphery of the openings 150. These techniques can help preventfraying of the material where the openings 150 are provided. In someexemplary embodiments, a seam tape, e.g. BEMIS (ET315) seam tape orother polyurethane barrier or adhesive, can be applied to the openings150 with a heat press. The seam tape can be of different gauges rangingfrom 0.0000.1 to 1 or greater, and can be applied with heat for 0.001seconds to 1 minute or more, at a temperature sufficient to bind thetape to the head covering and mask 100. Alternative webs or films can beapplied to the ear portions 130, 140 and used to help prevent thefraying of edges where the openings 150 are to be made or have beenmade. Whatever method is used, it can be lightweight, comfortable to thewearer, and transparent, matching or contrasting.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a user wearing the head covering and mask 100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shownin FIG. 3, a user can apply the head cover 110 over a user's head asshown. To secure the head cover 110, the user can wrap the firstelongated portion 160 and second elongated portion 170 around theirforehead (over a front portion of the upper portion 115 of the headcover 110), and tie the first elongated portion 160 and second elongatedportion 170 together on the back side of the head. For example, the usercan wrap the first elongated portion 160 over the head cover 110 andtheir forehead, and wrap the second elongated portion 170 over the headcover 110 and their forehead, then tie the first elongated portion 160and second elongated portion 170 at the back of their head. The user canwear the head covering and mask 100 as shown in FIG. 3. When a maskcover is needed, the user can apply the mask 120 over a user's mouth andnose, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, the user can lift the first earportion 130 and apply the mask 120 over their mouth and nose.Alternatively, the user can lift the second ear portion 140 and applythe mask 120 over their mouth and nose.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a user wearing the head covering and mask 100with the mask 120 over their mouth and nose according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, once a userlifts the first ear portion 130 and applies the mask 120 over theirmouth and nose, the user can secure the first ear portion 130 to theirear by applying one of the openings 150 over their ear. For example, theuser can secure the first ear portion 130 by applying one of theopenings 150 on the first ear portion 130 over their left ear, as shownin FIG. 5. Also, the user can secure the second ear portion 140 byapplying one of the openings 150 on the second ear portion 140 overtheir right ear. The mask 120 can accordingly be applied from eitherside or both sides. The head cover 110 is now applied over a user's headwith the mask 120 provided around a user's mouth and nose, as shown inFIG. 6. The plurality of openings 150 on the first ear portion 130 andthe second ear portion 140 allow for a tight or loose fitting of themask 120, and can accommodate different face sizes.

The head covering and mask 100 may be manufactured using any material,such as but not limited to cotton, cashmere, leather, satin, suede,velvet, silk, polyester, other plastics, elastic materials, micro-fiber,and the like. In some exemplary embodiments, different materials can beused to make different components. For example, a warmer material suchas polyester could be used to construct the head cover 110, and a morebreathable material such as cotton could be used to construct the mask120. In some exemplary embodiments, the inner material of the headcovering, including the head cover and mask, can be made of a differentmaterial and the outer material be made of a different material. Themask can also be made to accommodate multiple layers or an insert. Forexample, the ear portions 130 and 140 could have a pocket where theuser's mouth and nose is covered where an insert of filter can beprovided. The insert may be replaceable, e.g., by using activated carbonfilters or high-efficiency particulate air filters.

Various constructions are contemplated by the present disclosure and thevarious parts of the head covering and mask 100 can be constructed andmanufactured in various ways, and can be made of various materials.Various sizes and dimensions of the head covering and mask 100 and itsparts are also contemplated. In some exemplary embodiments, the headcovering can be made without the elongated portions 160 and 170, andother methods may be used to secure the head covering to the user'shead. In some exemplary embodiments, the lower portion 125 can bedetachable from the upper portion 115, such that a user can wear thehead cover 110 separate from the mask 120 (e.g., by zipper or otherfastening means).

The words “ranging”, “ranges from”, “ranges between” and other similarnotations, are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include thefirst and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integralnumerals there between. It should be noted that where variousembodiments are described by using a given range, the range is given assuch merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed asan inflexible limitation on the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly,the description of a range should be considered to have specificallydisclosed all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numericalvalues within that range.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure.Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments willbe apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein.It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be ableto devise numerous systems, arrangements, manufacture and methods which,although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principlesof the disclosure and are thus within the spirit and scope of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus to cover a head, comprising: a headcover configured to cover a user's head, the head cover including anupper portion configured to be provided over a user's head and a lowerportion extending from the upper portion; a mask provided at the lowerportion of the head cover; a first ear portion provided on a first sideof the lower portion of the mask; and a second ear portion provided on asecond side of the lower portion of the mask opposite the first side;wherein the first ear portion includes at least one opening configuredto be secured around a user's ear such that the mask covers a user'sface.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of openings areprovided on the first ear portion of the mask.
 3. The apparatus of claim2, wherein the plurality of openings comprise three elongated openingsconfigured to be secured around a user's ear.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein a plurality of openings are provided on the first ear portionand the second ear portion of the mask.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4,wherein the plurality of openings on the first ear portion and thesecond ear portion comprise three elongated openings configured to besecured around a user's ear.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a binding material provided around a periphery of theopening.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a seam tapeprovided around a periphery of the opening.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the head cover and mask are a unitary piece made of the samematerial.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mask extends at alength from a rear of the upper portion such that the lower portion canbe applied around a user's face.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: a first elongated portion provided on a first side of theupper portion; and a second elongated portion on a second side oppositethe first side of the upper portion.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the first elongated portion and second elongated portion areconfigured to be tied to each other around a user's head to secure thehead cover to the user's head.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe first elongated portion and second elongated portion have arectangular shape and are approximately 1 foot to approximately 3 feetin length each.
 13. A method of wearing a head cover, comprising:applying a head cover to a user's head, the head cover including anupper portion to cover a user's head and a lower portion extending fromthe upper portion; applying the lower portion of the head cover aroundthe user's face, the lower portion including an opening; and securingthe opening around the user's ear so that the lower portion is held inplace and secured such that the lower portion covers a portion of theuser's face.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lower portionincludes a plurality of openings.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinthe plurality of openings comprises three elongated openings.
 16. Themethod of claim 13, wherein a binding material is provided around aperiphery of the opening.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein a seamtape is provided around a periphery of the opening.
 18. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the upper portion and lower portion are a unitarypiece made of the same material.
 19. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: tying a first elongated portion provided on a first side ofthe upper portion and a second elongated portion on a second sideopposite the first side of the upper portion to each other at a behindthe user's forehead to secure the head cover to the user's head.
 20. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the first elongated portion and secondelongated portion each have a rectangular shape and are approximately 1foot to approximately 3 feet in length.